Harvester head assembly

ABSTRACT

An improved harvester head assembly is provided. The harvester head includes a housing which is rotatable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. The harvester head further includes feeding system with a central feed roller and a pair of outer feed rollers that are moveable relative to the housing. The harvester head also includes top and bottom saws. A pair of delimbing knives are pivotable relative to the housing. A manifold and valve assembly is disposed in the housing and includes a plurality of solenoid valves which are configured to channel hydraulic fluid to motors and actuators to power and/or move a plurality of the components. The manifold and valve assembly includes a manifold with a rectangular shape and which is oriented with its long dimension extending in a longitudinal direction. The solenoid valves are spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This U.S. Continuation patent application claims the benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/421,765, filed Feb. 1, 2017, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/141,689, filed Dec.27, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,591,810, issued Mar. 14, 2017, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/746,398, filed Dec. 27, 2012, entitled “Harvester Head Assembly”, theentire disclosures of the applications being considered part of thedisclosure of this application and hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to harvester head assembly forchopping, delimbing, and cutting trees to predetermined lengths.

2. Related Art

In the modern logging industry, many logging companies utilize harvesterheads, such as those sold under the mark Waratah®, attached toharvesters to chop, delimb, and cut trees into logs of predeterminedlengths in a very efficient manner. Typical harvester heads typicallyhave a pair of delimbing knives; at least one saw and at least onefeeding wheel. In operation, the arms of the harvester wrap around thetrunk of a tree adjacent its base. Then, the at least one saw cuts thetree to separate it from the ground, and the harvester head lifts theremaining portion of the tree off of the ground. Next, the feedingwheels feed the sawed off portion of the tree through the harvester headby a predetermined distance while the delimbing knives simultaneouslycut any limbs or branches off of the tree. After the feeding wheels havefed the sawed off portion of the tree by a predetermined distance, suchas ten feet, the at least one saw is activated again to cut the fedlength of tree into a pole with a predetermined length. This process mayall be completed in a short period of time.

Harvester heads are typically optimized for certain tree sizes andtypes. For example, one type of harvester head might be optimized forhard wood trees of between 10-18 inches in diameter and another type ofharvester head might be optimized for soft wood trees of between 6-10inches in diameter. Additionally, typical harvester heads are onlyconfigured to work with certain types of harvesters.

As with harvester heads, harvesters come in various types and sizes.Light and medium duty harvesters typically include six total wheelswhereas heavy duty harvesters typically include two continuous tracks(also known as caterpillar tracks) and two wheels. Wheeled harvestersmay provide increased maneuverability as compared with trackedharvesters, whereas tracked harvesters may weigh more than wheeledharvesters and thus may be capable of lifting and processing relativelylarger trees than wheeled harvesters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides for a harvester headassembly which includes a frame that is generally U-shaped. A housing isrotatably coupled with the frame and is rotatable between a horizontalorientation and a vertical orientation. The housing extends in alongitudinal direction between opposite longitudinal ends. The harvesterhead further includes feeding system with a central feed roller and apair of outer feed rollers that are moveable relative to the housing. Atop saw is located adjacent one of the longitudinal ends of the housing,and a bottom saw is located adjacent the other of the longitudinal ends.Both the top and bottom saws are pivotable relative to the housing. Apair of delimbing knives are pivotably coupled with the housing and arepivotable between open and closed positions. A hydraulic manifold andvalve assembly are operable to receive a hydraulic fluid and to channelthe hydraulic fluid to at least power the feed system, pivot the outerrollers relative to the housing, power the bottom saw, pivot the bottomsaw relative to the housing and pivot the delimbing knives relative tothe housing. The hydraulic manifold and valve assembly includes amanifold that is generally rectangularly shaped and has a long dimensionthat extends in the longitudinal direction and a plurality of solenoidvalves which are spaced longitudinally from one another and havespindles that are moveable in opposite lateral directions that aregenerally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, each of thespindles is moveable in the opposite lateral directions by no more thanone inch.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a plurality oftop saw valves for controlling the top saw are disposed within thehousing and are spaced from the hydraulic manifold and valve assembly.

The harvester head assembly has improved compatibility as compared toother similar harvester head assemblies and is operable with a very widerange of harvesters including wheeled harvesters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bereadily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by referenceto the following detailed description when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary harvester head coupled withan exemplary harvester;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the exemplary harvester head;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exemplary harvester head duringoperation;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the exemplary harvester head;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the exemplary harvester head around a topsaw;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the exemplary harvester head around abottom saw;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of an exemplary hydraulic manifold andvalve assembly for the exemplary harvester head;

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded view of an exemplary solenoid valve;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exemplary harvester head with acover removed; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the exemplary harvester and harvesterhead assembly of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views, an exemplary embodiment of aharvester 20 and a harvester head 22 assembly is generally shown inFIG. 1. As shown, the exemplary harvester 20 is a three axle, sixwheeled harvester 20 with an elongated, two piece boom 24, and thepieces of the boom 24 are interconnected at a controllable joint. Theharvester 20 includes at least one hydraulic pump 25 (shownschematically in FIG. 10) for controllably moving the boom 24 and alsofor powering the various components of the harvester head 22, as will bediscussed in further detail below. A plurality of hydraulic fluid lines26 extend from a main body of the harvester 20 along the length of theboom 24 and are fluidly connected with the harvester head 22 forchanneling the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to and from theharvester head 22. The exemplary harvester 20 has a 9.0 liter enginewhich produces a peak power output of approximately 228 horsepower and apeak torque output of approximately 830 ft*lbs. The front axles of theexemplary harvester 20 are bogie axles, and the rear axle is a rigidaxle. The hydraulic pump 25 has an operating pressure of between 24-28MPa.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an improved harvester head 22 assembly isgenerally shown. The exemplary harvester head 22 is configured for useon a wider range of different harvesters including both wheeledharvesters, such as the harvester 20 shown in FIG. 1, and trackedharvesters (not shown) as compared to other known harvester heads whichhave more limited compatibility, i.e., the harvester head 22 hasimproved compatibility. As will be discussed in further detail below,the harvester head 22 is adapted for chopping, delimbing, and cuttingtress of a wider range of types, shapes and sizes as compared to otherknown harvester heads that are compatible with certain types ofharvesters, such as the harvester 20 shown in FIG. 1 and discussedabove.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the exemplary harvester head 22 includes agenerally U-shaped frame 28 which is configured for attachment with adistal end of the boom 24 (shown in FIG. 1) and has a pair of spacedvertical legs 30 which extend in parallel relationship with one another.The harvester head 22 also includes a housing 32 which is rotatablyjoined to the ends of the vertical legs 30 of the U-shaped frame 28 forrotation thereabout. In other words, the housing 32 is rotatablerelative to the frame 28. For example, FIG. 2 shows the housing 32 ofthe harvester head 22 in a vertical orientation such that it extends inparallel with the vertical legs 30 and perpendicular to the ground, andFIG. 3 shows the harvester head 22 in a horizontal orientation such thatit extends generally perpendicularly to the vertical legs 30 andparallel with the ground. The harvester head 22 includes at least onehydraulically powered motor or actuator within the housing 32 forcontrolling the rotation of the housing 32 relative to the U-shapedframe 28.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the housing 32 of the harvester head 22contains an electronic control unit, also known as a flex box 34, and ahydraulic manifold and valve assembly 36. The flex box 34 is inelectrical communication with the harvester 20 (shown in FIG. 1) andalso with a plurality of solenoids 35 (one of which is shown in FIG. 8)on the hydraulic manifold and valve assembly 36. The hydraulic manifoldand valve assembly 36 is in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluidlines 26 from the harvester 20 for receiving hydraulic fluid therefromand for distributing the hydraulic fluid to the various components ofthe harvester head 22 to power those components, e.g., operating thehydraulic motors to tilt the housing 32 of the harvester head 22relative to the U-shaped frame 28 between the vertical and horizontalorientations discussed above. During operation, a user operates controlsin the cab of the harvester 20, and a computer (not shown) in theharvester 20 transmits an electronic signal to the flex box 34 in theharvester head 22. The flex box 34 receives the signal from theharvester 20 and transmits a different signal to the appropriatesolenoid or solenoids 35 in the hydraulic manifold and valve assembly 36to channel the hydraulic fluid to power the appropriate components inthe harvester head 22 so that they may perform the operations instructedby the user within the harvester 20.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the harvester head 22 also includes a pair ofsaws 38, 40 for cutting trees from the ground and for cutting the treesinto logs of predetermined lengths. As best shown in FIG. 6, one of thesaws 38 is a bottom saw 38 and is located adjacent one longitudinal endof the housing 32. The bottom saw 38 of the exemplary harvester head 22has a maximum cutting diameter of approximately twenty-two inches (22″).The other saw 40 is a top saw 40 and is located at the opposite end ofthe housing 32 from the bottom saw 38. The top saw 40 has a maximumcutting diameter of approximately thirteen inches (13″). Each of thesaws 38, 40 is controllably rotatable relative to the housing 32. Duringoperation of the harvester head 22, the bottom saw 38 is typically usedto cut the tree away from the ground and to section the tree into logsof predetermined lengths. The top saw 40 is best shown in FIG. 5 and istypically used to make the final cut and to remove the top of the treefrom a log during operation of the harvester head 22. As shownschematically in FIG. 10, each of the saws 38, 40 is operably coupledwith a hydraulic motor 41, 43 for powering the respective saws and ahydraulic actuator 45, 47 for rotating the saw relative to the housing32 during cutting.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the exemplary harvester head 22 includes afeeding system with a total of three feed rollers 42, 44 which are alldisposed longitudinally between said bottom and top saws 38, 40 formoving the tree relative to the harvester head 22. One of the feedrollers 42 is a central feed roller 42 and is disposed partially withinthe housing 32 and projects outwardly from a lower surface of thehousing 32 for frictionally engaging the tree. The other two feedrollers 44 are outer feed rollers 44 and are moveable relative to thehousing 32. Specifically, as best shown in FIG. 2, the outer feedrollers 44 are mounted on arms 46 which are pivotably coupled with thehousing 32. Hydraulic actuators 48 extend from the housing 32 to thearms 46 for controllably rotating the arms 46 to move the outer feedrollers 44 relative to the housing 32 between open positions forreceiving and releasing trees or logs and closed positions for engagingtrees or logs. For example, the outer feed rollers 44 are shown in theopen positions in FIG. 4 and in the closed positions in FIG. 3. When theharvester head 22 is engaged with a tree, all three of the feed rollers42, 44 frictionally engage with the tree, and rotation of the feedrollers 42, 44 causes the tree to move relative to the harvester head22. Referring back to FIG. 4, a sensor 50 is operably coupled with thehousing 32 for measuring the amount of movement of the tree relative tothe harvester head 22 during operation of the harvester head 22. Theharvester head 22 additionally includes at least one sensor for sensingthe diameter of the tree which is being engaged by the harvester head 22assembly. Each of the feed rollers 42, 44 is formed of hardened steeland has a diameter of approximately seven inches (7″). The feed rollers42, 44 are powered by hydraulic motors 49 (shown schematically in FIG.10) which are in fluid communication with the hydraulic manifold andvalve assembly 36 for receiving the hydraulic fluid therefrom. In theexemplary embodiment, the harvester head 22 includes four totalhydraulic motors 49, two of which power the central feed roller 42 andthe other two of which power the outer feed rollers 44.

The harvester head 22 additionally includes a total of three delimbingknives 52, 54 for removing limbs and/or at least some bark from the treeduring operation of the harvester head 22. As best shown in FIG. 4, oneof the delimbing knives is a stationary knife 52 which is attached tothe housing 32 adjacent the top saw 40. The other two knives arenon-stationary knives 54 which are pivotable relative to the housing 32between open positions, which are shown in FIG. 4, and closed positions,which are shown in FIG. 2. The non-stationary delimbing knives 54 arelocated on the housing 32 longitudinally between the top saw 40 and thesensor 50 of the harvester head 22. The non-stationary knives 54 arehydraulically actuated and, during operation of the harvester head 22,they are biased against the tree by hydraulic actuators 55 (shownschematically in FIG. 10) to cut limbs and branches from the tree whilethe feed rollers 42, 44 move the tree through the harvester head 22.Together with the outer feed rollers 44, the delimbing knives 52, 54also function to hold the tree off of the ground after it has been cuttherefrom during operation of the harvester head 22.

As discussed above, the movements of the delimbing knives 52, 54, thesaws 38, 40, the arms 46 and the feed rollers 42, 44 are allhydraulically powered. As best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the hydraulicmanifold and valve assembly 36 is positioned within the housing 32 ofthe harvester head 22 and is hydraulically connected with the hydraulicfluid lines 26 to receive the hydraulic fluid from the at least onehydraulic pump in the harvester 20. A plurality of hydraulic lines alsoextend from the hydraulic manifold and valve assembly 36 to the varioushydraulically powered motors and actuators of the harvester head 22except for the top saw 40, as discussed in further detail below. Thehydraulic manifold 56 is generally rectangular in shape and is orientedwithin the housing 32 such that the long dimension of the rectangularshape extends in the longitudinal direction of the harvester head 22.

Referring now to the fragmentary view of FIG. 7, the hydraulic manifold56 has a plurality of sets of openings 58 on a top surface thereof withthe sets of openings 58 being spaced longitudinally from one another.Each of the sets is configured for dispersing the hydraulic fluid to oneof the hydraulically powered components of the harvester head 22 and forreceiving the hydraulic fluid therefrom. Referring now to FIGS. 7 and10, during operation of the harvester head 22, one set of openings 58channels the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor 41 to power thebottom saw 38, one set of openings 58 channels the hydraulic fluid tothe hydraulic actuator 45 to move the bottom saw 38; one set of openings58 channels the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator 55 to move thenon-stationary delimbing knives 54; one set of openings 58 channels thehydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuators 48 to move the outer feedrollers 44 between the open and closed positions; and one set ofopenings 58 channels the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motors 49 topower the feed rollers 42, 44.

For moving the bottom saw 38, a proportional valve 64, such as theproportional valve 64 shown in FIG. 7, is disposed on the top surface ofthe hydraulic manifold 56 for receiving the hydraulic fluid from one ofthe sets of openings 58, and a solenoid valve 66, such as the solenoidvalve 66 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, is positioned on top of theproportional valve 64. The proportional valve 64 is configured tocontrol the volumetric flow rate of hydraulic fluid and also to transmitto the harvester 20 a hydraulic pressure measurement. As best shown inFIG. 8, each of the exemplary solenoid valves 66 includes a valvehousing 68, a spindle 76 and a solenoid 25. The valve housing 68 has aninlet opening 70, an outlet opening 72, a first direction opening 74 anda second direction opening 74. A spindle 76 is positioned within aninner bore of the valve housing 68 and is moveable therein on oppositelateral directions that are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.When it is in a first position for keeping the bottom saw 38 in aresting position, the hydraulic fluid flows through the valve housing 68from the inlet opening 70 and out the outlet opening 72 and back to thehydraulic manifold 56. The spindle 76 is operably coupled with asolenoid for moving the spindle 68 in opposite lateral directionsrelative to the housing 32 of the harvester head 22 and relative to thehydraulic manifold 56. Movement of the spindle 76 in the one lateraldirection causes the hydraulic fluid to flow from the inlet opening 70and into one of the directional openings 74 where the fluid is thenconveyed to the hydraulic actuator 45 for moving the bottom saw 38 inone direction, e.g., to make a cut. Movement of the spindle 76 in anopposite lateral direction causes the hydraulic fluid to flow from theinlet opening 70 into the other directional opening 74 where the fluidis then conveyed to the hydraulic actuator 45 for moving the bottom saw38 in an opposite direction, e.g., to return the bottom saw 38 to itsresting position. The spindle 76 has a travel distance of no more thanone inch (1 in) from the first position to either of the second andthird positions.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 10, the hydraulic manifold 56 also includesa solenoid valve 66 for turning the bottom saw 38 on and off. Movementof the spindle 76 in the associated solenoid valve 66 in one lateraldirection directs the hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic motor 41 to powerthe bottom saw 38. Movement of the spindle 76 in the opposite lateraldirection stops the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor 41,thereby stopping the bottom saw 38.

The hydraulic manifold and valve assembly 36 also includes aproportional valve 64 and a solenoid valve 66 for controlling movementof the non-stationary delimbing knives 54. Movement the spindle 76 ofthe associated solenoid valve 66 in one lateral direction channelshydraulic fluid to hydraulic actuators 55 to move the non-stationarydelimbing knives 54 from the open positions to the closed positions, andmovement of the spindle 76 in the opposite lateral direction directshydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuators 55 to move the non-stationarydelimbing knives 54 from the closed positions to the open positions.

The hydraulic manifold and valve assembly 36 further includes aproportional valve 64 and a solenoid valve 66 for controlling movementof the arms 46 with the outer feed rollers 44. Movement of the spindle76 of the associated solenoid valve 66 in one lateral direction channelshydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuators 48 to move the outer feedrollers 44 from the open positions to the closed positions, and movementof the spindle 76 in the opposite lateral direction directs hydraulicfluid to the hydraulic actuators 48 to move the outer feed rollers 44from the closed positions to the open positions. Movement of the spindle76 is controlled by the solenoid 66 which applies a magnetic field toeither attract or to repel the spindle 76.

The hydraulic manifold and valve assembly 36 additionally includes asolenoid valve 66 for powering the hydraulic motors that are coupledwith the inner and outer feed rollers 44. Movement of the spindle 76 ofthe associated solenoid valve 66 in one lateral direction channelshydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motors 49 to rotate the feed rollers42, 44 in one direction, and movement of the spindle 76 in the oppositelateral direction channels hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motors 49 torotate the feed rollers 42, 44 in an opposite direction.

The hydraulic manifold and valve assembly 36 is only configured foroperating the bottom saw 38. Accordingly, the harvester head 22additionally includes a plurality of top saw valves 78 which are locatedwithin the housing 32 separate from the hydraulic manifold and valveassembly 36 for turning on and off and also for controlling movement ofthe top saw 40. As best shown in FIG. 9, the top saw valves 78 arelocated in a longitudinal front area of the housing 32 and are spacedfrom the hydraulic manifold and valve assembly 36. The top saw valves 78are in fluid communication with the hydraulic manifold and valveassembly 36 through, for example, the valves for the bottom saw 38,and/or with the hydraulic lines from the harvester 20 for receivinghydraulic fluid to power and move the top saw 40. A ½ inch to ¾ inchreducer is fluidly disposed between the hydraulic manifold and valveassembly 36 and the top saw valves 78. One of the top saw valves 78 is asolenoid valve 66 for turning on and off the top saw 40. Movement of thespindle 76 in this solenoid valve 66 in one direction channels hydraulicfluid to a hydraulic motor 43 to power the top saw 40, and movement ofthe spindle 76 in the opposite direction stops the flow of hydraulicfluid to the hydraulic motor 43 to stop the top saw 40.

Another of the top saw valves 78 is a solenoid valve 66 for controllingmovement of the top saw 40. Movement of the spindle 76 in this solenoidvalve 66 in the one lateral direction causes the hydraulic fluid to flowfrom the inlet opening 58 and into one of the directional openings 74where the fluid is then conveyed to a hydraulic actuator 47 for movingthe top saw 40 in one direction, e.g., to make a cut. Movement of thespindle 76 in an opposite lateral direction causes the hydraulic fluidto flow from the inlet opening 70 into the other directional opening 74where the fluid is then conveyed to the hydraulic actuator 47 for movingthe top saw 40 in an opposite direction, e.g., to return the top saw 40to its resting position. Still another of the top saw valves 78 is aproportional valve 64 for controlling the volumetric flow rate of thehydraulic fluid flowing to the hydraulic actuator 47 for moving the topsaw 40.

Another aspect of the present invention provides for a method of makinga harvester head 22 assembly. The exemplary embodiment includes the stepof preparing a housing 32 that extends in a longitudinal directionbetween opposite longitudinal ends and is rotatably joined with a frame28. The harvester head 22 has three feed rollers 42, 44 which arepowered by a plurality of feed roller hydraulic motors 49. Two of thefeed wheels 44 are located on arms 46 which are pivotable relative tothe housing 32 by a pair of arm hydraulic actuators 48. The harvesterhead 22 also includes a pair of non-stationary delimbing knives 54 whichare pivotable relative to the housing 32 by a pair of knife hydraulicactuators 55. The harvester head 22 further includes a top saw 40 whichis powered by a top saw hydraulic motor 43 and is pivotable relative tothe housing 32 by a top saw hydraulic actuator 47. The harvester head 22still further includes a bottom saw 38 which is powered by a bottom sawhydraulic motor 41 and is pivotable relative to the housing 32 by abottom saw hydraulic actuator 45.

The method continues with the step of positioning a generallyrectangularly-shaped hydraulic manifold 56 within the housing 32 in anorientation such that a long dimension of the rectangular shape extendsin the longitudinal direction. The method proceeds with the step ofjoining a plurality of solenoid valves 66 with the hydraulic manifold 56and fluidly connecting the solenoid valves 66 with the hydraulic bottomsaw hydraulic actuator 45, the bottom saw hydraulic motor 41, the knifehydraulic actuators 55, the arm hydraulic actuators 48 and the feedmotor hydraulic motors 49.

The method also includes the step of removing a hydraulic pressureregulator from the hydraulic manifold 56. The method further includesthe step of positioning a top saw motor solenoid valve 66, a top sawactuator proportional valve 64 and a top saw actuator solenoid valve 66in the housing 32 and separate from the hydraulic manifold 56 andfluidly connecting the top saw solenoid motor solenoid valve 66 with thetop saw hydraulic motor 43 and fluidly connecting the top saw actuatorproportional and solenoid valves 64, 66 with the top saw hydraulicactuator 47.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings and may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A harvester and a harvester head assembly,comprising: a wheeled harvester having a plurality of wheels and a boomextending along a length to a distal end; a harvester head secured withsaid boom at said distal end; and said harvester head comprising; aframe, a housing which extends in a longitudinal direction betweenopposing first and second longitudinal ends, a feed system including aplurality of feed rollers that are moveable relative to said housing, afirst saw located adjacent one of said longitudinal ends of said housingand a second saw located adjacent the other of said longitudinal ends ofsaid housing, at least two non-stationary delimbing knives pivotablycoupled with said housing and pivotable between open and closedpositions, a hydraulic manifold and valve assembly operable to receive ahydraulic fluid and to channel the hydraulic fluid to at least powersaid feed system and to power said first and second saws and to pivotsaid delimbing knives, and said hydraulic manifold and valve assemblyfurther including a plurality of solenoid valves, each solenoid valvehaving a spindle that is moveable in opposite lateral directions thatare generally perpendicular to a longitudinal direction.
 2. Theharvester and harvester head assembly as set forth in claim 1 whereineach of said spindles in said solenoid valves is moveable in saidopposite lateral directions by no more than one inch.
 3. The harvesterand harvester head assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including aplurality of solenoid valves includes a plurality of first saw valvesfor controlling movement of said first saw, said first saw valves beingseparate from said hydraulic manifold and valve assembly.
 4. Theharvester and harvester head assembly as set forth in claim 3 whereinsaid plurality of first saw valves includes a first saw motor solenoidvalve for channeling the hydraulic fluid to a first saw hydraulic motorto power said first saw.
 5. The harvester and harvester head assembly asset forth in claim 4 wherein said plurality of first saw valves furtherincludes a first saw actuator solenoid valve for channeling thehydraulic fluid to a first saw hydraulic actuator to pivot said firstsaw relative to said housing.
 6. The harvester and harvester headassembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said plurality of first sawvalves further includes a first saw actuator proportional valve forcontrolling a volumetric flow rate of hydraulic fluid to said first sawhydraulic actuator.
 7. The harvester and harvester head assembly as setforth in claim 1 wherein said first saw has a maximum cutting diameterof seventeen inches.
 8. The harvester and harvester head assembly as setforth in claim 7 wherein said second saw has a maximum cutting diameterof approximately twenty-two inches.
 9. The harvester and harvester headassembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said feed rollers are locatedlongitudinally between said first and second saws.
 10. The harvester andharvester head assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least two ofsaid plurality of feed rollers are mounted on arms that are pivotablerelative to said housing.
 11. A harvester head assembly, comprising: aframe, a housing which extends in a longitudinal direction betweenopposing first and second longitudinal ends, a feed system including aplurality of feed rollers that are moveable relative to said housing, afirst saw located adjacent one of said longitudinal ends of said housingand a second saw located adjacent the other of said longitudinal ends ofsaid housing, at least two non-stationary delimbing knives pivotablycoupled with said housing and pivotable between open and closedpositions, a hydraulic manifold and valve assembly operable to receive ahydraulic fluid and to channel the hydraulic fluid to at least powersaid feed system and to power said first and second saws and to pivotsaid delimbing knives, and said hydraulic manifold and valve assemblyfurther including a plurality of solenoid valves, each solenoid valvehaving a spindle that is moveable in opposite lateral directions thatare generally perpendicular to a longitudinal direction.
 12. Theharvester head assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein each of saidspindles in said solenoid valves is moveable in said opposite lateraldirections by no more than one inch.
 13. The harvester head assembly asset forth in claim 11 further including a plurality of solenoid valvesincludes a plurality of first saw valves for controlling movement ofsaid first saw, said first saw valves being separate from said hydraulicmanifold and valve assembly.
 14. The harvester head assembly as setforth in claim 13 wherein said plurality of first saw valves includes afirst saw motor solenoid valve for channeling the hydraulic fluid to afirst saw hydraulic motor to power said first saw.
 15. The harvesterhead assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said plurality of firstsaw valves further includes a first saw actuator solenoid valve forchanneling the hydraulic fluid to a first saw hydraulic actuator topivot said first saw relative to said housing.
 16. The harvester headassembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said plurality of first sawvalves further includes a first saw actuator proportional valve forcontrolling a volumetric flow rate of hydraulic fluid to said first sawhydraulic actuator.
 17. The harvester head assembly as set forth inclaim 11 wherein said first saw has a maximum cutting diameter ofseventeen inches.
 18. The harvester head assembly as set forth in claim17 wherein said second saw has a maximum cutting diameter ofapproximately twenty-two inches.
 19. The harvester head assembly as setforth in claim 11 wherein said feed rollers are located longitudinallybetween said first and second saws.
 20. The harvester head assembly asset forth in claim 11 wherein at least two of said plurality of feedrollers are mounted on arms that are pivotable relative to said housing.